Abstract: A method is shown for joining and sealing a female plastic pipe end having a belled end opening to a mating male plastic pipe end having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A sealing element is installed within a groove formed in the belled end of the female pipe section. The male pipe end is then inserted into the end opening of the female pipe end so that the elastomeric sealing gasket makes sealing contact with the exterior surface of the male pipe.

Abstract: A pipe joint apparatus and method using spiral groove halves formed on the nested surfaces of male and female pipe ends. The exterior half of the spiral groove is connected to an exit port. The interior half of the spiral groove has a proximal end recessed from edge of its pipe. Alignment of the pipes and partial insertion of the spline allows for a threaded pipe connection that may be screwed or unscrewed to overcome the pressure for the gasket seal. Full insertion of the spline to engage the exit port locks the spline in position and the interior half's proximal end prohibits the unscrewing of the pipe joint. The pipe ends may be easily disconnected by pulling the spline out of the exit port to unscrew the pipe sections or fully removing the spline to separate the pipe ends. A gasket is used to form a sealed joint.